What Works Better than Worry

The phone call comes. Hard news on the other end of the line. I listen and nod. By the time I hang up I feel a weight on my shoulders, like it all depends on me. I begin to worry. This is what I can do, isn’t it? I can carry this around like a dog with an old bone. I can gnaw and twist, bury it and dig it up again. Surely this will be helpful, certainly this will save the day.

But into that place of fear there comes a God-whisper in my heart, “Your worry cannot change the world, only I can.”

Luke 12:25 says, “Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to your life?”

Who of us by worrying can make the prodigal come home, the marriage be restored, the meeting go well, the weight come off, the lights come on, the kids stay safe, the wrong be undone, the project turn out right?

Worry is seductive because it feels like control. If we are worrying then we must be taking action. We must be turning the tide. But this is only a distraction and deception. It’s a shiny object for us to chase to keep us from going to the One who can actually get it done.

When I realize this it doesn’t feel like a rebuke; it feels like a relief. Jesus, in all His gentleness and kindness, His extravagant mercy and care, has taken the boulder from my hands and said, “It doesn’t depend on you.” As I picture this I see the scars on His own palms, hear His voice on the cross saying, “It is finished.”

Isn’t that what we really want to know? That someone is taking care of it, of them, of the situation, the circumstance, the thing that makes us make our pillow soggy with salty tears. This is what God says He will do. He will look out for the sparrows with their wispy feathers and fragile bones. And for us too, with our tender hearts and glass lives.

And even when the worst comes, when everything shatters, He can make it (and us) whole again.

After the call I sit on the edge of my bed and listen to a song, headphones in my ears, hands folded on my lap. I whisper, “God, I release this person I love to You.” I add more words, requests, and hopes. I will say this again in the kitchen. In the car. As I sit in a coffee shop. Because it takes more than one time to win the battle against worry. It’s an ongoing choice, one we falter with often. This is alright because Jesus understands what it is to be human.

What frees our hearts isn’t worry; it’s worship. In other words, taking all the hard things to Someone who cares for us. Choosing to trust and let go. Believing through the blood, sweat and tears He will mysteriously work it all together for good.

Here’s what we can rest in today: The only One who has ever been able to bear the weight of the world on His shoulders is still strong and loving enough to carry all that concerns us too.

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Holley, thank you for sharing this incredibly encouraging post! My favorite part: “Worry is seductive because it feels like control. If we are worrying then we must be taking action. We must be turning the tide. But this is only a distraction and deception. It’s a shiny object for us to chase to keep us from going to the One who can actually get it done. “

Wonderful post, Holley, I never thought of worry as seductive or feeling I was in control. So when people cave to temptation, follow after doctrines of devils and seducing spirits, it may not just be the sensual, but fear, doubt, and worry. I like the fact, He knows we are human, and what it is like to be fragile, we can only be strong in Him.

Thank you for this today Holley. I needed this beautiful reminder not to worry, but let God fight my battle today. I will not worry about the matter that is breaking my heart, but instead worship my God, who I know I can trust. I know He will handle it perfectly, as I pray and let Him be in total control of the situation.
Bless you as you keep encouraging all of us!

Thank you for your sharing, caring and support for all of us. God has graciously given you this wonderful gift to sooth and comfort all of us in our time of need. Great reminders to give it ALL to HIM for HE knows what is BEST!
Blessings to you ALWAYS!

your worry can not change the world,only I can. need to remember this everyday lately.worry does seem to take control of me..need to say god I release this worry to you,this person to you.it does take more than one time,to choose to turn it over to god..we need worship in our hearts.i am at work,worry keeps trying to control me and I am reaching out,thanks holley for letting me share my heart,so many times we take that control back and then we are begging him to take it again..we so want to be set free. worship,worship.

I found this post in my mailbox and I believe God had you leave it right there for me to see. I’m facing an unknown health problem and I’ve been laying awake at night, worrying over something that may or may not be serious. My mother used to tell me to “Let go, let God” and lately I’ve not been heeding her advice. Thank you for the reminder, thank you for channeling my Mom. I really needed to see this today.

As a chronic worrier, this post spoke to me:) This line is so true, “Because it takes more than one time to win the battle against worry.”
Daily some times minute by minute prayers to God asking for strength to overcome the worry.
Thank you Holley!

Oh, yes! Worship is a MUCH more productive use of our time and thoughts than worry! When a person or circumstance weighs heavy on my heart, I try to turn my concerns into affirmations of God’s attributes which he’s surely implementing in the situation: His wisdom, power, love, mercy, grace, sovereignty, and more. Just as you’ve said, Holley, I choose (over & over) to trust in our faithful God and ask him to help me let go of the worry. He is more than willing to do so!

Worry does give the illusion we are in charge or can do something about the situation. Sad that we buy into that lie over and over. Love that fact that God doesn’t want us to carry those worries around. Like a kind father, he wants to lift them off and carry them himself.